LGBTQ+ shows you probably should’ve watched by now

From wholesome energy to crushing despair, LGBTQ+ shows have it all. Whether you adore the tragic queer stereotype or are in dire need of a bit of optimism, here’s a non-exhaustive guide to almost 30 popular LGBTQ+ shows to watch (or rewatch) this summer. 

I’m in the mood for… cringe-worthy levels of queer joy  

The success of Heartstopper has brought canon queer stories into the forefront of commercially successful entertainment, proving that audiences enjoy watching queer people live their lives with community, solidarity, understanding, and empathy. It may be cringe, but it does have Olivia Coleman.  

Glee: it’s camp, it’s musical, it’s borderline unhinged at times – what more could you want? A group of misfit teenagers join their school’s ‘Glee Club’ to sing about being nerds and losers before Pitch Perfect made it cool.  

If you really like to cringe, you might also want to try teen drama XO Kitty. 

It’s humorous, yet tinged with bittersweet nostalgia

My favourite genre is… coming of age 

Sex Education hit the UK with a bang (literally). Its explicit look at the sexual and romantic relationships of young people is honest, entertaining, and nuanced. Earning praise for their portrayal of asexuality and sexual assault, the first two seasons are the best. 

Everything Now centres around the protagonist Mia as she rejoins society after spending time as an anorexic inpatient. You’ll definitely want to watch it if you shipped PJ and Brittany in Bottoms (2023). 

The Sex Lives of College Girls is necessary viewing for university students. Beware though – Ruby Cruz’s presence in season three is smaller than the trailer suggests. 

Every show should have a… group of misfits 

Big Boys: a shy gay kid joins university after the death of his dad. Jack and his mostly queer friends journey through very British young adulthood together. It’s humorous, yet tinged with bittersweet nostalgia as real-life Jack narrates from beyond the show’s timeline. Tissues needed towards the end. 

Feel Good is a great exploration of how external factors impact same-sex relationships

Derry Girls: Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle, and James live out their youth in Derry during the Troubles. A masterpiece in historical storytelling, the light-hearted exploits of the younger characters occur against the backdrop of political unrest. 

For misfits, try also: Everything Sucks! or Trinkets.  

My favourite romantic trope is… pining after the best friend  

I Am Not Okay With This follows Syd as she crushes on her best friend and discovers her supernatural abilities. If you ignore anything setting up a non-existent second season, it becomes a very solid limited series. Definitely recommended if you like The End of the F***ing World.  

Queer as Folk is a groundbreaking show produced at the height of AIDS hysteria, set in Manchester. It’s raucous and expletive and one of the three main characters is 15, but the heart of the story – the struggle between loving someone and being in love with them, and also the insatiable desire to stay young, is surprisingly tender.  

Atypical is a quintessential best friends-to-lovers trope and peaked in seasons two and three; good for viewers who enjoy the mother-daughter dynamic in Ladybird (2017). Orange is the New Black’s best pairing (Poussey and Taystee) is an honourable mention here too. 

Natasha Lyonne remains the most convincing straight-actor-playing-a-lesbian ever

I’m currently feeling… angry at the establishment   

In Kevin Can F*** Himself, housewife Alison realises the depth of her unhappiness and bids to change her life. The show switches between a multi-cam sitcom, laugh track in tow, when her husband is on screen, and a single-cam drama when he leaves, to great effect.  

Young Royals follows the turmoil of a young Swedish prince after his brother’s death and enrolment in a new school. There he meets Simon, a non-boarder, scholarship student with whom he has a secret relationship. Features plenty of angst against the system. 

Feel Good is a great exploration of how external factors impact same-sex relationships: addiction, familial expectations, and insecurities. Grey’s Anatomy is a good long-running option, offering plenty of political commentary. But please beware: it’s now into its 21st season. 

My comfort character is… a literal criminal 

Shameless (US)’s ‘Gallavich’ outlast prison, abusive dads, babies, and mental disorders, yet still somehow manage to look partially healthy come the final season. It’s worth noting their storyline is only a minor part of the broader series. 

Darren and Cash from Heartbreak High (2022) explore not just homosexuality but also gender fluidity, asexuality, and gang violence.  

Of course, there’s also Orange is the New Black, a classic for a reason; Natasha Lyonne remains the most convincing straight-actor-playing-a-lesbian ever. 

Sitcoms with queer narratives at the helm are essential viewing

I’m always watching… sitcoms 

Sitcoms with queer narratives at the helm like Modern Family and Schitt’s Creek are essential viewing. Abbott Elementary and The Good Place are two of the best sitcoms on television. Superstore is a run-of-the-mill workplace sitcom but more niche than The Office or Brooklyn 99. English Teacher is a good one too, with LGBTQ+ themes at the forefront of the narrative. 

If you’re looking for a strong queer narrative, or just want some canon representation, these shows have a lot to offer – and watching them helps keep queer stories in production.